Astronomy is a science which cannot be done without
good quality observations.  It is therefore imperative that
the process of taking observations is well understood, and 
the process of transforming the raw observations into a 
usable data-set from which astronomical results can be 
measured is done with care and clarity.

The art of astronomical observations lies in reconstructing
the highest fidelity representation of the sky, given the
inherent limitations of the data, which are always to some 
degree affected by atmosphere, instrument, technique or 
telescope. Some kind of processing always needs to be 
applied to minimize these issues and produce the most 
accurate representation of the astronomical source of
interest.

Achieving the best possible resolution and contrast in astronomical
imaging allows the probing of fine-scale structure in unprecedented
detail, providing an insight into some of the smallest events occurring
in the universe from which the most violent, energetic and easily
observable events are intimately related.  For example, high
contrast, high resolution radio imaging of neutral hydrogen provides a
detailed view of the processes and structures shaping the
Inter-Stellar Medium (ISM) in nearby galaxies.

The typical picture of the ISM is a mixture of gas, dust and cosmic
rays encompassing the space between the stars in a galaxy.  It is also
a violent, turbulent place undergoing constant transformation through
the energetic processes including star-formation.  Supernovae,
gamma-ray bursts, high-velocity cloud collisions and even the nearby
environment of the galaxy itself are all believed to shape the ISM
into an intricate tapestry of holes, shells and bubbles that defines a
complex set of tunnels, networks and cavities of under-densities
through the tenuous gas and dust.  It is apt then that it has been
described as `the violent interstellar medium' and the `cosmic bubble
bath'.

Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) PhD student
Joshua Rich is studying both of these areas, for several end goals.
The first goal is to improve the state of imaging techniques and
astronomical software processing, particularly in light of the
next-generation radio and optical astronomical facilities which will
be producing a huge amount of data that current techniques and
software may not adequately handle. The second goal is to push current
radio facilities such as the Very Large Array to its limits, allowing
a probing of the fine-scale structure in the ISM with the highest
resolution data, to understand the events that lead to star-formation
in nearby galaxies.

Joshua Rich completed a dual degree in Applied Physics and Information
Technology at Central Queensland University in Rockhampton, Queensland
before taking a long trek south to Canberra to complete his Honours
year at RSAA, ANU.  He is now in his final year of his PhD at RSAA